Suction cleaner



Oct. 27,` 1942.

v. E. CARLSON 2,300,204

SUCTION CLEANER Filed April 17, 1939 Z2 Sheets- Sheet l Vr/lon E Car/son ATTORNEY 000211942. Vf E CARLSON 2,300,204

SUCTION CLEANER INVENTOR ATTO RN EY ratenred oct-21, 1942 y sUc'rIoN cLEANEp A Vernon E. Carbon, Canton, Ohio, assigner to The Hoover ration of Ohio Company, North Canton. Ohio, a corpo- Appucauon April 11, 1939, semi No. 268,180 l 1s claims. (ci. 15-9) The present invention relates to suction cleaners and particularly to new and improved mechanism for maintaining a constant nozzle clearance with respect to the floor covering being cleaned irrespective of movement of the handle to difierent operating'positions and for converting the cleaner to off-the-fioor cleaning position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved suction cleaner. It is another object to provide common means for maintaining proper nozzle clearance during onthe-oor cleaning and for effecting conversion for oiiE-the-floor cleaning. A further object is to provide means for maintaining constant nozzle oor clearance upon movement of the handle to different operating positions. Another object of the invention is to provide means in the motor housing for converting the cleaner from onthe-oor to oi-the-iioor cleaning positions. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon referring to the following,

specification and claims and the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a suction cleaner with parts broken away to show one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section along the line 2-'2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation similar to Figure 1 butG showing the nozzle elevated and the converter in position for o-the-oor cleaning;

Figure 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevation with parts broken away showing another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a section along the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

One embodiment of the invention is disclosed in a suction cleaner shown in Figures 1 to 4 and comprising a main casing I provided. with a suction nozzle Il communicating with an air passageway I2 extending to a fan eye I3 at the entrance to a fan chamber I4 communicating with an exhaust passageway I discharging into a dust bag I6 attached to a vertical flange I1 at the extreme end of the exhaust passageway I5. A bottom cover plate I8 is detachably secured to the casing I3 to form therewith the air passageway I2. Supported on the casing I0 is a motor I3 which operates a fan 20 to create suction and draw dirt-laden air from the surface being cleaned through the nozzle II and air-passageway I2 into the fan chamber I4, and discharges I5 into the dust bag I3. An agitator 2l is journaled inthe nozzle II and is rotatedfby a belt 22 extending through the air passageway I2 to an unshown pulley arranged on the motor armature shaft.- The cleaner is supported on front and rear wheels 23 and 24 respectively, the

former being journaled on the casing I0 and the latter on a rear caster assembly 25.

The rear caster assembly 25 comprises an elongated hollow beamv 28 which extends transversely beneath the rear end of the casing II) and is journaled for limited rocking movement on a shaft 21 supported at its outer ends by a pair of arms 23 depending integrally from the casing III.y

The hollow beam 23 is of semi-cylindrical contour and is divided longitudinally of its length into compartments 23 formed by transverse webs 30. Disposed in three of the compartments 29 are torsion springs 3l, which are coiled about the shaft 21, and each spring has one end 33 anchored against a stop 34 depending integrally from the underside of the casing I3, and the opposite end 35 of each spring exerts pressure upon the beam 26 in the direction to rotate the rear caster 25 counter-clockwise on its supporting shaft 21, as viewed in Figures 1 and 3. This arrangement of springs operates to support the normal cleaner weight transmitted to lthe rear wheels, and to raise. the rear portion of the casing to tilt the `nozzle II downwardly to maintain a proper nozzle clearance with the surface to be cleaned.

The cleaner is propelled over the floor covering 3 6 by a handle 31 which is removably secured in a split socket 33 by a nut and bolt connection 33. The handle'socket 33 is journaled on a .pivot pin 40 which is rigidly supported in the side walls 4I of the handle bracket 42 the rear wall 43 of which is secured to the exhaust iiange I1, and the lower portions 44 of the handle bracket side walls are mounted on the cleaner casing above the exhaust passageway I5. One of the side walls of the handle socket 33 extends below the pivotal axis v4I) and is provided with segmental means having a plurality of recesses 45, 46 and 41 defined by projections 43, 49, 50 and 5I which limit the range of movement of the handle in different operating positions. Adapted to engage the segment means is a detent means including a roller detent 52 journaled on a lever 53 pivotally mounted on a pin 32 supported at itsy opposite ends in he handle bracket 42. A torsion spring 34 is arranged about the pin 32 and urges the roller detent 52 into enthe dirt-laden air through the exhaust passage 55 sagement with the segmental surface to resistingly maintain the handle in its adjusted posiv tion.

When the handle is mounted at the rear end of the cleaner casing III, downward movement of the handle causes the casing'to pivot about the shaft 21, the nozzle II moving upwardly away from the :door covering which consequently disturbs the proper clearance required between the nozzle and the door covering for efilcient cleaning. This upward tilting of the'nozzle and downward movement of the rear end of the casing is caused by the pressure exerted on the handle to move the segmental projections 49 and 58 past the roller detent 52 to change the operating range of the handle. In order to prevent pivotal movement of the casing I about the shaft 21, I have provided a locking mechanism which comprises a lever 54 pivotally mounted on a pin 55 supported on a member 56 integral with the casing I8, the forward end of the lever being provided with an offset lip 51 which normally engages a member 58 formed integrally with one of the transverse webs 30 on the caster beam 26. A torsion spring 59 is arranged around the pin 55 and tends to hold the lip 51 in locking engagement with the member 58. When the lever 54 is locked with respect to the rear caster 25 and the handle 31 is moved downwardly so that segmental projections 49 or 58 are forced past the roller detent 52, the rear end of the cleaner is .prevented from squatting closer to the floor covering, and the nozzle clearance with respect to the iioor covering is maintained uniform throughout the cleaning operation irrespective of the movement o f the handle.

The foregoing locking mechanism is also employed in converting the cleaner from on-thefloor to off-the-floor cleaning positions. The cleaner is adapted for o-the-floor cleaning by providing a converter port or passageway 60 which extends transversely. of the casing from an opening in a wall 6I of the casing I8 adjacent the fan eye I3 to the outer skirt 62 of the casing I0. The passageway 60 is formed by a plate 63 cooperating with the bottom of the casing I0. The opening at the inner end of the passageway 60 is normally closed -by means of a spring actuated gate valve 66 pivotally mounted along its lower edge on a pin 61 to swing downwardly and inwardly from its vertical closed position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 to its open position shown in full lines.

'I'he passageway 60 is adapted to receive a converter member 65 which is permanently ,or

detachably connected at one end to an unshown dusting tool hose and has a iiat inner end portion 68 which completelyA traverses the passageway I2 at the eye of the fan chamber, thus closing of! the air passageway I2 and diverting the incoming air stream from the dusting tool hose directly into the eye of the fan chamber.

The converter passageway 68 is normally partially closed by a barrier v1I which is rigidly secured to the rear caster assembly 25 so as to move therewith when the latter is pivoted about the shaft 21. 'I'he forward end of the barrier 1| extends through a slot 13 in the member 63 and intersects the converter passageway 60 as shown in Figure l. The barrier is provided with a detent 'I4 on which the longitudinal rib 15 of the converter 65 rides so as to properly position the latter in the passageway 68. The curved end 16 of the detent 14 engages the depending lug 11 on the converter to lock the latter in the converter passageway 88.

In order to convert the cleaner from its no'rmal on-the-floor cleaning position shown in Figure l to olf-the-oor cleaning position shown in Figure 3, I have provided a link 88 which is pivoted to the locking lever 54 and extends upwardly through a slot 8I in the casing III and is provided at its upper end with a laterally offset lip 82. The link 88 is actuated by a motor housing 88 pivotally mounted at its front end by a bolt and nut connection 84 secured in a resilient block 86 carried -by a bracket 86 mounted on the casing III. Fixed to the exhaust ange I1 is a pair of pins 89 which project through elongated slots y81 formed in the rear wall 88 of the motor housing, whereby the latter is properly positioned on the casing I0 and yet permits movement of the rear end of the motor hlousing about the pivotal connection 84. A band 98 extends around the lower end of the motor housing to the exhaust flange I1 and is rigidly mounted on the top wall of the casing I 0. y A pair of substantially L-shaped members 98 are formed integrally with the band 98 toward the rear ends thereof, and the upright portions of the members 90 extend within the motor housing 83. Removably mounted on the members 90 are bolts 9| which extend through elongated slots 92 in the motor housing 83 and through conned openings inthe band 98. A pair of springs 94 have one end secured at 95 to the inner wall of the motor housing and have their opposite ends abutting the upright members 98 so as to normally tilt the motor housing upwardly about its pivotal axis 84 to maintain the lower defining edge 91 at the rear of the motor housing in spaced relation from the top wall of the casing I0. The band 98 covers the open space between the lower edge 91 of the motor housing and the casing. When the motor housing is depressed it actuates the link which unlocks the lever 54 from the rear caster 25, and when the housing abuts the easing I8, further downward pressure on the housing is transmitted directly to the casing III and causes the latter to pivot counter-clockwise about the shaft 21 as viewed in Figure 1 to raise the nozzle II from the floor covering and also removes the barrier 1I from the passageway 60 to permit insertion of the converter 65 for oif-the-iloor cleaning.

In operation, assume the cleaner is being employed for on-the-floor cleaning and the handle 31 is in normal cleaning position, that is, roller detent 52 is in the segmental recess 46 and the barrier arm 1I forming part of the caster 25 abuts the converter housing 63 as indicated at 54 in Figure l. If the operator desires to move thehandle to a lower position he exerts pressure downwardly on the handle'and causes the projection 49 to pass over the roller detent 52 against the force exerted by the spring 64, whereby the detent 52 is disposed in the recess 45 to thereby maintain the handle in low operating position.

The force exerted on the handle to move the projection 49 over the roller detent 52 normally causes the cleaner casing to pivot counter-clockwise about the shaft 21 as viewed in Figure l, and vthereby disturbs the proper nozzle clearance between the nozzle II and the iloor covering. However, such rotation is prevented by the lever 54 which is in locking engagement with the member 58 Aforming part of the rear caster 25. Accordingly, the nozzle clearance with respect to the :door covering is not altered by moving the handle into diil'erent operating positipns.

It it is desired to convert the cleaner to offtheoor cleaning position to employ the usual dusting tools, it is flrst necessary to clear the barrier 1|V from the converter passageway 60. This is done by the operator placing one hand on the top of the motor housing 83 adiacent the handle 31 and pressing downwardly on the motor housing against the force exerted by the springs 94. Downward pressure on the motor housing causes the latter to move about its pivotal axis 84 and relatively to the band 98 and the' casing |0. Upon downward movement of the motor housing the lower dening edge 91 of the latter actuates the link 80 which pivots the locking lever 54 counter-clockwise about the pin 55, as viewed in Figure 1, to release the lever. 54 from locking engagement with the member 58 on the rear caster 25, whereby the casing I is free to pivot with respect to the caster 25.

Continued downward movement of the motor housing causes the latter to abut the casing I0 whereby the pressure exerted by the hand of the operator is directly transmitted to the casing I0, causing the latter to pivot counter-clockwise about the shaft 21 as viewed in Figure 1. Depression of the rear end of the casing |0 simultaneously raises the nozzle and removes the barrier 1| from the converter passageway 60. The converter 65 may now be inserted in the passageway 60, providedthe detent 14 engages the rib 15 on the converter, whereby the latter may be advanced further to abut the valve 66 and cause it to swing downwardly into the position shown in Figure 4. When the converter is in its nal position its forward end seals the front half of the fan eye whereby air may be drawn through the dusting -tools into the fan chamber and discharged into the dust bag.

Once the converter has been inserted in the passageway 60 it is no longer necessary to hold down the rear end of the cleaner since the detent 16 on the barrier contacts the underside of the converter member, as shown in Figure 3, and holds the nozzle in raised position from the floor covering. With the converter in iinal position the shoulder" abuts the detent 16 `on the barrier to lock the converter member in p0- sition.

Upon completing the ofE-the-oor cleaning operations, the cleaner is restored to its normal operating condition, by depressing the rearportion of the motor housing to release the converter member so that it may be withdrawn from the passageway 60. When the operator removes his hand from the motor housing the springs 94 pivot the latter upwardly to its normal position and the torsion springs 3| raise the rear end of the cleaner and pivot the nozzle downwardly to its proper nozzle clearance with respect to the iioor covering, and the lever 54 engages the member 58 to lock ythe caster 25 with respect to the cleaner casing.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown engage the motor housing to limit upward movement of the panel |0|. Formed integrally with the panel |0| is a rearwardly extending arm |00 to which is pivotally connected a link ||0 pivoted at its opposite end to the locking lever 54. To convert the cleaner for oil-the-floor cleaning the panel |0| is moved downwardly about its pivot |04 which actuates the link ||0 and thereby releases the lever 54 from the caster 25. Thereafter pressure exerted on the panel |0| or motor housing proper pivots the casing I0 counter-clockwise about the shaft 21 as viewed in Figure V5, to raise the nozzle and remove the barrier 1| from the passageway 60' to permit insertion of the converter member 65.

The cleaner is restored to on-the-iloor cleaning position by depressing the rear portion of the cleaner to release the converter member, and thereafter downward pressure is removed from the cleaner permitting the torsion springs 3| to raise the rear end of the cleaner, the lever 54 locking the caster 25 with respect to the casing |0 and the spring v|01 moving the panel |0| to close the opening in the motor housing |00-,

I claim:

l. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a port adapted to receive a converter member to convert the cleaner for o-the-iioor cleaning, barrier means movably mounted on said casing and normally positioned to obstruct the entrance to said port, a motor housing mounted on said casing and .having at least a part thereof movable with respect to the cleaner motor and operatively connected to said barrier means, said part of said motor housing being movable with respect to said motor upon exerting pressure thereon to unlock said barrier means for movement from said obstructing position in said port.

2. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a port adapted to receive a converter member to convert the cleaner for oil-the-floor cleaning, barrier means movably mounted on said casing and in Figures 5 and 6 and includes the mechanism In this embodiment a motor housing |00 is mounted stationary on the casing I0 and is provided witha panel |0| forming part thereof. The panel |0| has a top wall |02 depending side normally locked to obstruct the entrance to said port, -a motor housing mounted on said casing, panel means forming part lof Asaid motor hous- Ying and operatively connected to said barrier means and movable with respect to'the cleaner motor, said panel means being movable with respect to the cleaner motor upon exerting pressure thereon to unlock said barrier means for removal of the latter from said obstructing position in said port.

3. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a port adapted to receive a converter member to convert the cleaner for off-the-oor cleaning, barrier means movably mounted on said casing and normally locked to obstruct said port, a motor housing movably mounted on said casing and operatively connected to said barrier means, said motor housing being movable with respect to said ca smg upon exerting pressure thereon to unlock said barrier means and for effecting removal of the latter from said obstructing position in said port.

to move the latter with respect to said bracket,

means for locking said bracket with respect to said casing, and means movable with respect yto the cleaner motor for releasing said locking mechanism to permit lsaid movement of said casing with respect to said bracket.

5. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a port adapted to receive a conyerter member to convert the cleaner for oir-the-floor cleaning, a spring pressed wheel carrying bracket pivotally mounted on said casing and adapted to support saidcasing against depression undernormal load conditions, barrier means operated by said bracket and normally positioned to obstruct said port, but shiftable from said port closing position when suiilcient pressure is exerted on said casing to move the latter "with respect to said bracket, means for locking said bracket with respect to said casing. a motor housing movablymounted on said casing and having at least a part thereof operatively connected to said locking means, movement oi' at least said part of said housing relatively to said casing releasing said locking means and further movement of said housing engaging said casing to move the latter with respect to said bracket to remove said barrier means from said port obstructing position.

6. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a port adapted to receive a converter member to convert the cleaner for o-the-iloor cleaning, a spring pressed wheel carrying bracket pivotally mountedon said casing and adapted to support said casing against depression under normal load conditions, barrier means forming part of said bracket and normally positioned to obstruct said converter port, but shiftable from said port obstructing position when suiiicient pressure is exerted on said casing to move the latter with respect to ysaid bracket, means for locking said bracket with respect to said casing, a motor housing mounted on said casing, panel means forming part of said motor housing and operatively connected to said locking means, said panel means being movable upon exerting pressure thereon to release said locking means to permit said movement of said easing with respect to said bracket.

7. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a port adapted to receive a converter member to convert the cleaner for oi-the-oor cleaning, a spring pressed wheel carrying bracket pivotally mounted on said casing and adapted to support said casing against depression under normal load conditions, barrier means operatively connected to said bracket and normally obstructing said converter port, means for locking said bracket with respect to said casing, a motor housing movably mounted on said casing and normally spaced from the latterland connected to said locking means, movement of said housing relative to said casing releasingsaid locking means, and further movement of said housing engaging said casing to move the latter with respect to said bracket to remove said barrier means from said'port obstructing position. s

8. 1n a suction cleaner, a casing having a port adapted to receive a converter member to convert the cleaner for oil-the-noor cleaning, handle control means for resistingly supporting a handle in different operating positions, the handl'e being movable to different operating positions by exerting a force thereon, a spring pressed wheel carrying bracket pivotally mounted on said casing and adapted to supportsaid casing against depression under normal load conditions, locking means engaging said bracket to prevent relative movement between the latter and said casing when said force is exerted on said handle during normal on-the-iioor cleaning, means for releasing said locking means to permit movement of said casing with respect to said bracket, and barrier means forming part of said bracket and normally positioned to obstruct said converter port, but shiftable from said 'port obstructing position when said casing is moved with respect to said bracket.

9. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a port adapted to receive a converter member to convert the cleaner for oil-the-noor cleaning, a spring pressed wheel carrying bracket pivotally mounted on said casing and adapted to support said casing against depression under normal load conditions, handle control means for"`resistingly supporting said handle in different operating positions, said handle being movable to dlil'erent operating positions by exerting a force thereon, locking means to engage said bracket to prevent relative movement between the latter and said casing when said force is exerted on said handle, a motor housing mounted on said casing and having at least a part thereof operatively connected to said locking means, said part of said motor housing being movable relative to said casing upon exerting pressure thereon to release said locking means to permit said movement of said casing with respect to said bracket, and barrier means forming part .of said bracket and normally positioned to obstruct said converter port, but shiftable from said port obstructing position when said casing is moved with respect to said bracket.

10. In a suction cleaner, a casing including suction-creating means, a noinzle` communicating with said suction-creating means, an opening communicating with said suction-creating means adapted to receive a converter for off-the-floor cleaning, bracket means pivotally mounted on said casing, wheels carried by said bracket means, tension means acting on said casing and bracket means to counterbalance the normal weight oi the cleaner, latch means normally operating to prevent said casing moving towards said wheels, said latch means being released by application tilt said casing towards said wheels, and a barrier connected to said bracket means and normally obstructing said converter opening, said barrier being moved out of said opening uponsaid release of said latch means and said tilting of said casing toward said wheels to permit insertion of said converter.

11. In a suction cleaner, a cleaner casing, a motor on said casing, a spring pressed wheel carrying bracket pivotally mounted on said casing and adapted to support said casing against depression under normal load conditions, means for locking said casing with respect to said wheel bracket during movement of said cleaner over the surface being cleaned, a motor housing for said motor and having at least a part thereof operatively connected to said locking means, and movable with respect to said motor to release said locking means to permit movement of said casing with respect to said bracket.

12. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a nozzle, a spring pressed wheel carrying bracket movably mounted on said casing and adapted to support said casing against depression under normal load conditions to maintain said nozzle at uniform floor clearance, a handle pivotally mounted on said casing, handle control means for resistingly supporting said handle in diierent operating positions, cooperating locking means on said casing and wheel bracket to prevent relative movement therebetween when said handle is moved .to diierent operative positions whereby said nozzle is maintained at a uniform oor clearance, and a\motor housing` on said casing and having at least al part thereof movable for releasing said locking means to permit relative movement between said casing and wheel bracket.

13. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a nozzle, a wheel bracket movably mounted on said casing to support the latter, a handle pivotally with respect to said Wheel bracket.

14. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a nozzle and a port adapted to receive a member to convert the cleaner for off-the-floor cleaning,

a wheel bracket movably mounted on said casing to support the latter, a handle pivotally mountedon said casing and movable to diierent operative positions, barrier means normally locked to obstruct the entrance of the converter member into said port, locking means to prevent relative movement between said wheel bracket and casing when said handle is moved to different operative positions whereby 'said nozzle is maintained at uniform floor clearance and to hold said barrier means in said port obstructing position, a motor housing on said casing, and movable panel means forming part of said motor housing and operatively connected to said locking means, movement o! said panel means releasing said locking means to permit removal of said barrier means from port obstructing position and relative movement between said casing and wheel bracket.

15. In a suction cleaner, a cleaner casing, a wheel bracket movably mounted on said casing to support the latter, means for locking said cas- 4ing with respect to said wheel bracket during movement of said casing over the surface, being cleaned, a motor housing on said casing, and movable panel means forming part of said motor housing and operatively connected to saidlocking means, movement of said panel means releasing said locking means to permit movement of said casing wth'respect to said wheel bracket.

16. In a vsuction cleaner, a casing having a nozzle` and a port adapted to receive a member to convert the cleaner for oi-the-oor cleaning,

a Wheel bracket movably mounted on said casing to support the latter, a handle pivotally mounted on said casing and movable to different operative positions, barrier means normally obstructing the entrance of the Aconverter member into said port, locking means to prevent relative movement between said wheel bracket and casing when said handle is moved to different operative positions whereby said nozzle is maintained at uniform floor clearance and to hold said barrier means in said port obstructing position, a motor housing movably mounted on said casing and operatively connected to said locking means, movement of said motor housing releasing said locking means to permit removal of said barrier means from said port obstructing position and relative movement between said casing and Wheel bracket. l

17. In a suction cleaner, a casing having a nozzle, a wheel bracket movably mounted on said casing to support the latter, a handle pivotally mounted on said casing and movable to diierent operative positions, locking means to prevent relative movement between said wheel bracket and casing when said handleis moved to different operative positions whereby said nozzle is maintained at uniform floor clearance, a motor housing movably mounted on said casing and operatively connected to said locking means, movement of said motor housing releasing said loeking means to permit relative movement between said casing and wheel bracket.

18. In a suction cleaner, a cleaner casing, a wheel bracket movably mounted on said casingto support the latter, means for locking said cas*- ing with respect to said wheel bracket during movement of said casing over the surface being cleaned, a motor housing movably mounted on said casing and operatively connected to fsaid locking means, movement of said motor housing releasing said locking means topermit movement or said casing with' respect to said when bracket.

vERNoN E. CARLSON. 

